South China Sea joint statement says China’s maritime claims have no basis
TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) – China’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, Japan, the Philippines, the United States and 11 other countries said in a joint statement on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the international court’s landmark decision.
The Philippines won the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, which found that China’s claim to sovereignty in the South China Sea had no basis under international law; This decision was one that Beijing has consistently rejected.
• “We reaffirm that the decision made by the Arbitral Tribunal 10 years ago is an important milestone between China and the Philippines and is final, legally binding and conclusive,” the joint statement said. The statement was included.
• The Philippines and China have been involved in a series of maritime conflicts in recent years.
• Manila accuses Beijing of “dangerous maneuvers” within its exclusive economic zone.
• In addition to Japan, the Philippines and the USA, Australia, England, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania and Slovenia are also participating in the joint statement.
• China’s foreign ministry on Sunday reiterated the country’s sovereignty claims and blamed the intensified military deployments of foreign powers, including the United States, for tensions in the South China Sea.
• In its statement, the Ministry said, “The so-called award is nothing more than a piece of waste paper that is illegal, void and has no binding force.” he said.
• Relevant countries were called to respect China’s territorial and maritime rights and to stop actions that undermine regional stability.
• In a separate statement late Sunday, the ministry said it had summoned the prime minister of Japan’s embassy in Beijing to protest comments made by Japan’s foreign minister on the anniversary of the decision and the joint statement.
• The ministry said Beijing would respond “firmly and forcefully” to what it described as “Japanese provocations”, adding that it had also complained to Japan on issues including Taiwan.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom. Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Mark Potter)
